West Palm Beach commission ratifies Antonio Araujo as police chief

The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously ratified Mayor Keith James' appointment of Antonio Araujo as chief of police on Feb. 3, 2025. The appointment, announced by the mayor, will take effect March 3, 2025.

Mayor Keith James told the commission he appointed Araujo as interim chief in October and concluded a national search was no longer necessary after observing the chief’s “performance, vision, and ability to drive results.” James said Araujo “has been doing the work” to reorganize the department and institute leadership training, and the mayor asked commissioners to ratify his appointment.

City Administrator Armando Johnson, who said he works day-to-day with the chief, told the commission Araujo had taken a “deep dive” into the department’s administrative policies and had demonstrated an understanding of municipal budgeting and departmental operations. Johnson noted the police department’s budget and staffing while supporting the mayor’s recommendation.

Interim Chief Antonio Araujo addressed the commission and the public, saying he and his command staff had been assessing operations since October and had found “competent and engaged sworn and professional staff.” Araujo pledged “a fair, just, and constitutionally sound posture in all we do” and said he was committed to improving community-oriented public safety services and to building partnerships with neighborhoods.

Commissioners who spoke during the discussion praised Araujo’s neighborhood outreach and early steps to change department culture. Commissioner Kathleen Ward said North End residents felt “secure in your responses and how you interact.” Commissioner Shalonda Warren and Commissioner Christina Lambert cited training, supervision and accountability as early positive signs. Commissioner Christy Fox and Commissioner Joe Peduzzi also voiced support.

The mayor asked for a motion to ratify the appointment; the motion was moved and seconded and carried unanimously. The appointment will be effective March 3, 2025.

Votes at a glance - Action: Ratify appointment of Antonio Araujo as chief of police (mayoral appointment) - Moved: not specified; second: not specified - Outcome: Approved (unanimous) - Effective date: 2025-03-03

Why it matters West Palm Beach’s police department serves a city with a 2025 department budget and staffing levels discussed at the meeting (staff cited a departmental budget figure of $97,000,446 and 315 sworn officers). The ratification signals the mayor’s decision to retain a leader who has already taken steps—according to the mayor and staff—to reorganize the department, institute leadership training and pursue community-oriented policing measures.

What comes next Mayor James and Chief Araujo announced plans for community listening events across the city in coming months to continue outreach. The commission did not set additional conditions in the ratification motion.